Liverpool hold key to future of Brad Jones

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Boro are deep in negotiations to hammer out Brad Jones' future by the end of the week.

Further discussions yesterday between the clubs resulted in Jones watching last night's Carling Cup victory from the stands of the b2net Stadium at Chesterfield.

Strachan used the opportunity to blood highly-regarded Academy teenager Jason Steele in goal, with Danny Coyne on the bench, which means that Jones is not cuptied.

This suits Liverpool perfectly, though they will only prise away the 28-year-old Jones from Teesside if they match Boro's valuation.

Boro are keen to get the situation settled quickly, because if Liverpool don't come up with the cash then they must get Jones' head settled with important games on the horizon.

The Gazette's North-west sources believe that a deal will be finalised, but Boro are in no mood to lose the keeper unless an offer is received from Liverpool - or any other club - and makes it virtually impossible to keep him at the Riverside.

If Boro do sell Jones - the Gazette's sources say the fee will be close to £3m - then Strachan will be under pressure to use some of the cash to find a replacement quickly.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.